Documents associated with: White House, lease
Record 36 of 44
System Number: 02027
Date: 24 May 1878
Author: Edmond Robert King Harman[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler H128
Document Type: ALS
'EKH[2]'
May 24 / 78
20, DUKE STREET,
ST JAMES'S. S. W.
My dear Whistler.
Thanks for your card[3] "to remind". I hope to be with you on Sunday morning.
I have just been to see Sir J. Hogg[4]. He is full of wrath against you about some letter[5] in which you have threatened to loose [p. 2] a solicitor at him.
I had a lengthy palaver & left him in a better frame of mind, but he is a sore subject, and I don't think the gout has come out properly in him.
I think it probable he will speak to me again [p. 3] on the subject, as I left a remark or two for him to ponder over -
Yrs truly
E R King Harman
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Edmond Robert King Harman
Colonel Edmond Robert King Harman (1838-1888), MP [more].
2. EKH
Blue and white printed monogram.
3. card
Untraced.
4. Sir J. Hogg
Sir James Macnaghten McGarel Hogg (1823-1890), first Baron Magheramorne [more]. He was chairman of the London Metropolitan Board of Works (see note below).
5. some letter
This relates to the White House, JW's studio house at Tite Street, then under construction. The London Metropolitan Board of Works objected to the austere facade of the original design by Edward William Godwin (1833-1886), architect and designer [more], and withheld the lease on the land until the changes were made. Without a lease, the release of funds to complete the work was delayed. In December 1877, JW obtained an introduction to Hogg, hoping that Hogg's influence would assist his case (see Q. Hogg to Sir J. Hogg, #02158). Hogg advised him to write a letter stating his case and he would put it before the Board (JW to G. & W. Webb, #06160). JW seems to have threatened in this letter to follow it up with a formal lawyer's letter (see JW to G. & W. Webb, #06163).